FarmerGiles

wow, what a car. I've had it almost a month now and I wish I could drive it more - I've only put 1700 miles on it so far! I think everybody's mentioned everything good about the car. I even went for a 7 hour drive with a 5'10" girl in the back and she said it was really comfy!

I've only got the LP 5MT (yup, 190 gets manual in UK) and it goes really well. Would love to beep slightly higher up but I love it anyway. Handles like a limpit on the twists and yet is dead quiet and smooth when cruising.

All I need to do now is move to Scotland and get some decent mountain roads to drive on!

Butch Brown

I like everything except throw out bearing noise, sounds like it's ready to come apart when clutch is released.

martman4

Just a few days with my new RX, but love the darn thing. Waxed it twice already. Like a kid with a new toy.

Preacher

The a/c is PATHETIC and the throwout bearing sounds like ****.

Other than that,I'm happy (at the moment)

Rcktman33

Highly satisfied here. I test drove almost everything out there that I consider a competitor to the RX-8. Z350, BMW 3 series, Audi A4, Saab 9-3, Mercedes C230 K Sedan, Acura TSX and RSX, Subaru WRX. All were fine cars in their own right, but none of them had the same "feel" as the RX-8. Nimble, comfortable, and a sense of being absolutely planted to the road at all speeds.

Toss on 3k miles since I've made my purchase and absolutely no regrets. I still can't help grinning like a kid every time I open the door and climb in behind the wheel!

Jeffjett

So far I am highly satisfied. Biggest surprise is the excellent quality of the stock stereo. Favorite feature is the sound of the rotary when running through the gears.

Butch Brown

Highly satisfied! Love to drive the car. It amazes me how it climbs hills. The torque may not have much of a peak but it is consistant above 3,000 RPM's. I expected to have to do allott more shifting. Great design except heated seat switch behind shifter, someone wasn't thinking about that placement.

DCSBlack Knight

I picked up my 8 in December 2003.

At 49 I have had the oportunity to drive a lot of cars and the 8 is possibly the finest car I have driven.

Could there be more luxury appointments? Possibly, but that is a personal issue.

I got the chance to take it in Portland International Raceway in June. Fast is an understment. I got to prove my therory way some are claiming that the 8 is slow. They don't know how to handle a rotory engin. Handle. Well lets just say that it hold the corners like is was glued to the ground.

My only problem with the car. I am haveing a devil of a time driving it slow.

I keep getting asked about the gas milage. My answer. I don't know and I don't care. It does everything I hoped it would do and more.

If you think the 8 is slow. Meet the black knight, a 2004 RX 8 on the track some day and you will never say an 8 is slow again.

Ajax

This has to be the most fun car I've ever owned and I find something new to enjoy almost everytime I drive. It is a joy and it makes my world a better place.

If I had to complain about anything, I'd complain that I dont get to drive it enough.

Preacher

pics and full info on 'mods are here:
http://nopistons.com/forums/index.ph...ODE=12&CID=292
It's a cool place to keep track of wtf you've done and (sigh!)
how much $ you've parted with....

KC-RX8

Drives like a dream. If I had to nitpik it would be about the gas mileage; but I'm not sure that I'm helping Mazda out too much in that department!

:D

BlueThunder

The car is simply AWESOME! 'nouph said.

DCSBlack Knight

I argree. It can not be said any better.

apaul

Highly satisfied...peformance, fit & finish,features and of course, fun factor..the only other vehicle that I have owned which rates as highly was my 2000 MX-5. Mr.Mazda, you build great automobiles!

emjays13

OK Here I am away from home and 1. Car 2. Girl 3. Rest is what comes to mind. First time in years I've missed my car. it's the best Highly satisfied!

spank1

if you bought the 8 for mileage you have the wrong car

AQA101

In the meantime, 5000 miles went by (within one month) ... so how do I feel about the car now?

To put it simple, it boils down to emotional things.

Two short examples from the last ten days:

Yesterday evening we've been driving in a friend's Audi A4 TDI, some hours before we took a trip to Munich in my 8. His A4 comes at the same price as my 8, it is as fast (concerning top speed) and - since bigger - much more practical than my car. And of course my mileage is 2-3 times higher. From a rational point of view, the A4 is easily the better car. My friend is quite proud of it for a reason. But I was simply missing the sound of the Renesis and the jetfighter feel of the 8 like hell, so I told him so and my friend admitted he had exactly the same feeling at that moment.

Last weekend, my best friend (female) dated a guy somewhere in the middle of Germany. We both live in the south and I was taking a trip to the north, so I picked her up on my way back. The guy she had dated actually tried to impress her with his brand new car - an Audi A4 as well (and to make things even more ironic, the friend with the other A4 is her ex and they're still on good terms). Well, then he saw my car when I picked her up ... "hot ride" were the last words my friend ever heard from him. He never called again and we're still laughing about the scene.

I had many other small but emotional situations with the car within the last 35 days, guest-starring my parents, my brother, my grandma and many friends of mine.

This car sparks emotions in almost all people who get in contact with it, no matter, if they care about cars in general or not. It somehow reminds of the fascination for the Hattori Hanzo sword in "Kill Bill" if you happen to have seen the movie(s). It's simply something special.

I'm emotionally satisfied with the car and I'm thrilled everytime I drive it, which is in fact what I was hoping to be when I decided to get it. The whole feeling is as close to being in love as it is possible for something material.

DCSBlack Knight

For my money there is no better car the RX-8. If one wants a practical car buy a mini van or something of the like. I for shear fun of driving with the option of racing, well just try to top the RX-8. As AQA 101 found, there is someting about the RX-8 that gets to you.

Everone who drives something other that the RX-8, well each to there own. But on the track, bre ready to veiw the 8 from the back.

winbluerx8sport

SHORT SHIFTER IN MY CAR S BITCH... GRINDS WITH CLUTH TO TE FLOOR...but other than that i love it...everything is JSUT how i wanted it if not a little better..

gusmahler

For the first time since I was a new driver, I'm happy when I drive. When I get out of the car, I always turn around and take a look at it. When I'm stuck in traffic jams, I look forward to taking detours and driving a little longer. I'm very happy with the car. The only problem I have is that I can't keep the gas pedal off of the floor.:D

Preacher

'Mod pics:
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...0&pagenumber=1
and 18.9 MPG last tank w the 'M' flash....

Preacher

'Mod pics:
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...0&pagenumber=1
and 18.9 MPG last tank w the 'M' flash....

Kwullen

I love mine.
I went and test drove one and bought it out of loyalty to my good customer, Mazda North America Operations and Mazda Company - Japan. I was extremely satisfied with my Acura CL TypeS, however, Honda doesn't spend any money with my company!
I immediately fell in love with the six speed. I drove the auto first, as I loved the typtronic 5 spd auto on the Acura, but the RX8 Auto seemed sluggish and it was only a four speed.
I now have almost 15k miles on it and just can't drive it enough! I take every different route to and from the shop, I can find!
I've driven cars like my avatar for nearly thirty years and I can tell you, the RX8 is as close to driving a formula car on the street, that I've ever sat in!
Kudos to the developement and test drivers at Mazda, GREAT JOB!!
The only problem I've had is warping brake rotors, but I think that's from all the 100 MPH+ braking I do!!
I hope I can keep my license...........

The Rex

Highly satisfied...it has made driving a blast. It has plenty of horses, but not too many to be a daily driver. I'm driving my dream car and loving it!

Debo

Coming up on a year of ownership, and my satisfaction level keeps increasing. Still waiting for the right set of mods.